You can say what you want about the Lion’s running game, but there is no way it’s worse than what the Giants have been doing this year on the ground, so don’t try to paint that picture as a point for Stafford over Manning.

I think Eli gets in on the strength of his comebacks this year and what he means to his team. The Giants are 8-7 right now, but take him off the roster and replace him with an average QB and they have maybe one or two wins. They would’ve beaten the Jets (the Jets gave that game away) and the Bills (Bradshaw ran for 3TD and 100+ yards) without Eli’s input, and maybe the Rams. You’d be looking at a 3-12 or 2-13 team right now without Eli. Look at the 4th quarter drives he’s put together against NE, GB, Dallas, etc.

Eli has been winning in spite of a terrible running game and a terrible defense. Look at the positions he’s been put in every game in the 4th quarter with a couple minutes left and look how he’s consistently pulled it out.

If he pulls out another 4th quarter dagger with a couple minutes left against Dallas on Sunday, he not only has easily earned his Pro Bowl selection, he is starting to look like a dark horse candidate for MVP because his team would be absolutely atrocious without him. The very definition of valuable.

kev86 says:
Dec 28, 2011 8:33 AM
Your team is heading into a must win game. You are held at gunpoint and asked which QB you want for the big game..Matthew Stafford or Eli Manning? You have a second to decide or the gun goes off….who do you pick???

First, I agree that the Romo bashing gets old. I like Romo. That being said, Stafford has had an incredible year. And it’s his first full year and he’s only 23 years old. He’s barely thrown more INT’s than Romo and 9 of those 14 you see came when he had a broken index finger on his throwing hand. Outside the games played with a broken finger he has 33 TD’s and 5 INT’s. Fact is, Stafford has many years left to grow and that’s scary considering he’s in the elite category of stats this year already. Also, he’s been the difference. Calvin has always been good. Wonder why he’s having a breakout year……It’s because he finally has an elite QB throwing to him.

I’m now hoping to play the Giants first round. We’ll see who the ProBowl QB is.

———–

Not in East Rutherford, you don’t. Maybe in that comfy dome. The Lions aren’t built for this cold.

—————–

Oh yea I almost forgot about the New Jersey Giants

Lions are 4-1 outdoors this year and 6-4 in domes…

]]>By: sfwillis52http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471767
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:56:08 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471767Niners should of had 10 in there. Aldon Smith and Bowman both somehow didn’t make the cut.
]]>By: wakiashhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471613
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:58:06 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471613No Dez Bryant? What a rip off.
]]>By: Mr. Wright 212http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471551
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:32:40 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471551kev86 says:
Dec 28, 2011 8:33 AM
Your team is heading into a must win game. You are held at gunpoint and asked which QB you want for the big game..Matthew Stafford or Eli Manning? You have a second to decide or the gun goes off….who do you pick???

First, I agree that the Romo bashing gets old. I like Romo. That being said, Stafford has had an incredible year. And it’s his first full year and he’s only 23 years old. He’s barely thrown more INT’s than Romo and 9 of those 14 you see came when he had a broken index finger on his throwing hand. Outside the games played with a broken finger he has 33 TD’s and 5 INT’s. Fact is, Stafford has many years left to grow and that’s scary considering he’s in the elite category of stats this year already. Also, he’s been the difference. Calvin has always been good. Wonder why he’s having a breakout year……It’s because he finally has an elite QB throwing to him.

I’m now hoping to play the Giants first round. We’ll see who the ProBowl QB is.

———–

Not in East Rutherford, you don’t. Maybe in that comfy dome. The Lions aren’t built for this cold.

]]>By: suhnamihttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471488
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:00:51 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471488Matthew Stafford – the 1st QB in NFL history to throw for 36+ TD’s and NOT make the Pro Bowl…hmmmmm bias/hate much?
]]>By: suhnamihttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471474
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:51:57 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471474The Pro Bowl is a popularity contest unfortunately and not a measure of talent…

would you rather be the Prom King or the guy banging the Prom King’s girlfriend?? just saying who do you think is which in this scenario??

Wow, I never realized that Lions fans were such crybabies. I mean, whining over whether Stafford made the team in such a meaningless game? I’m sorry, but I doubt that Stafford even cares that much.

Maybe the Pro Bowl is like the Oscars. Sometimes you “win” based on your body of work, not as much by the film you made. I mean, why else did Scorcese win for “The Departed” and not “Taxi Driver” “GoodFellas” or “Raging Bull”? This is statistically Eli’s best year, and coaches and players are looking at the entire body of work, as compared to Staffords lone complete season.

———————————————–

Lets just set the record straight….

Matthew Stafford’s stat’s are far superior than Eli in all but YPC and Eli has a slight lead (I’m going to go out on a limb and say that changes after this weekend) by 69 yards.

Matthew Stafford plays in the hardest division in football…sorry guys the NFC East is a complete joke this year.

The Pack are the best team in football and both games against the Bears were when they were healthy and on pace to be a 10/11 win team before sustaining all the injuries.

They’ve had to play other teams such as the 49ers, Saints, Broncos, Raiders, Cowboys, Falcons all teams in 1st place or the playoff hunt.

Matthew Stafford has the NFL all time record for must come from behind wins in a season of 13+ point deficits…can’t get much more clutch than that.

Oh yea and lastly…Matthew Stafford has led the Lions to a better record and locked up a playoff birth already.

The only argument you can make over Stafford is for Romo….THAT’S IT.

Needless to say I’ll be rooting for the G-men this weekend along with my Lions in hopes this can all be settle the first week of the Playoffs…I’m sure Stafford won’t be motivated at all 😀

The chiefs sent 2 defenders. The 32nd ranked D in the NFL sent three. Raji goes over Suh despite having a horrible 1st half of the season

Manning over stafford? We must of forgotten the stat column….win/loss record….and the fact MS did it without a running game.

And one that pisses me off…….Brandon Pettigrew. Third among NFC TEs in receptions…….but pettigrew does something that all these “pro-bowl” TEs don’t: he actually blocks. He’s an every down TE…..there was recent artical that said as a blocker BP grades out better grades out better than like 50% of offensive linemen. But since he doesn’t have a high number of 20+ yd receptions, he’ll never get a look.

———–

As if the Giants aren’t DEAD LAST in the league in rushing? FOH stupid.

And Stafford singlehandedly lost the Lions 3 of the 5 games they’ve lost. Eli hasn’t been the reason the Giants have lost any of theirs.

]]>By: kev86http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471447
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:33:58 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471447Your team is heading into a must win game. You are held at gunpoint and asked which QB you want for the big game..Matthew Stafford or Eli Manning? You have a second to decide or the gun goes off….who do you pick???
]]>By: blackqbwhiterbhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471441
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:29:48 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471441London Fletcher takes Geritol before practice, has his paycheck from the Redskins supplemented by his social security check, hasn’t missed a game since 1996, and leads the ENTIRE NFL in tackles, didn’t get in. Total joke…the whole things a sham
]]>By: blackqbwhiterbhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471434
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:24:35 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471434How on earth does Freeney get in with 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles, on a team that won 2 games? Is that the best the AFC has? Nufff said….the whole thing is a farce.
]]>By: kev86http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471433
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:24:30 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471433I think Stafford backers have solid points but should be careful evaluating Eli on numbers alone. If you have watched every Giants game and seen how Eli has carried teh Giants throughout the season, you might give him a little more credit. He’s had a make-shift o-line all year, made Victor Cruz a mini monster and made no name Jake Ballard a legitimate threat.

He has broken the Giants passing yards for a season record (tough place to play QB), has tied Johnny Unita and Peyton Manning for most 4th qtr TD passes in a season, has a high 4th qtr QB rating (money player) and has led the Giants to wins against the Pats in Foxboro ( broke Pats home win streak) and a 12 point comeback in final 5 minutes at Dallas. He led the Gianst to victory against Rodgers and the Packers too but the Giants defense blew it in the final minute.

As impressive as Staffords stats look ( I havent watched all of his games) I have a hard time saying Eli does not deserve the nod.

Eli is ELITE and congratulations to him on making the pro bowl. Perhaps the best part about him is he could proabbaly careless about making the team.

GO BLUE!!!

]]>By: Mr. Wright 212http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471413
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:05:41 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471413Babin is a one trick pony and a joke.
]]>By: pixelitohttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471401
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:54:10 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471401Aldon who?
]]>By: cornersportsnethttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471381
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:35:25 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471381Cruz should be in hester should be in,congrats to pat peterson
]]>By: mikea311http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471373
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:28:59 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471373Eli is the ONLY reason the Giants even have a shot at the playoffs.

At least Detroit has a defense.

]]>By: gcsukhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471360
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:40:26 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471360Wow, I never realized that Lions fans were such crybabies. I mean, whining over whether Stafford made the team in such a meaningless game? I’m sorry, but I doubt that Stafford even cares that much.

Maybe the Pro Bowl is like the Oscars. Sometimes you “win” based on your body of work, not as much by the film you made. I mean, why else did Scorcese win for “The Departed” and not “Taxi Driver” “GoodFellas” or “Raging Bull”? This is statistically Eli’s best year, and coaches and players are looking at the entire body of work, as compared to Staffords lone complete season.

]]>By: bearsrulepackdroolhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471346
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:17:36 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471346Anybody see the problem with the selection of the “interior linemen”?

As to your last line: I’ve seen some of Cruz’s catches and subsequent yac; I think he’s turned himself into a household name. He definately belongs over Jennings this year.

Matthews seems to be another one making it on reputation and team success. He has nice all around numbers but not really Pro Bowl worthy. He’s 8th on his own team in total tackles; behind two other linebackers who have played in three less games (59 more tackles) and two fewer games (30 more tackles). I guess his 3 INTs and 6 sacks out way Aldon Smith’s 14 sacks.

Stafford also has a lesser average, 50 more attempts, 10 more sacks, doesn’t play in a run first offense (despite having running backs with better averages than the Giants), and arguably the best receiver in the league to go along with the fact 10 of his games were indoors.

——————————————–

Stafford has 48 more attempts and 50 more completions than Manning. While Stafford has been sacked more often, he has fumbled less (5 times losing one) than Manning (8 fumbles losing 4). Manning does have a higher Yards Per Attempt and passing yards, but Stafford has him in completion %, TDs, fewer INTs and QB rating.

lionsfan49418 says:Dec 27, 2011 8:01 PM

Absolute travesty that Eli made it over Stafford. Really? Why?? Cliff Avril anyone?

——————————————–

So who do you take out in his stead?

eigglesnosuperbowls says:Dec 27, 2011 8:04 PM

JPP yeah you know me,,, I almost got more tackles than babin and allen combined !

——————————————-

I guess, if 81 is almost 99.

]]>By: jebdamonehttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471333
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 07:56:55 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471333other than jared allen JPP has probably been the most dominant DL in the league and has done it while not even starting all the time.
]]>By: kdizzle22http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471297
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:58:51 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471297Stafford has 48 more attempts than Eli. So if Eli had those attempts completing 60% of them as he has all season at an average of 8.25 yards per catch (which is what he has up to this point) then he should have 283 more yards which would mean he would only need 200 and change against Dallas to have a 5000 yard season. This would be significantly better than stafford so if Eli had the same number of attempts his stats would be much better than staffords are right now. This is also not taking into account Eli’s ridiculous 4th quarter numbers. STOP COMPLAINING LIONS FANS.
]]>By: kdizzle22http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471280
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:39:22 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471280rmc1995 How can u say nicks has replaced smith. Smith played in the slot and was more of a possession receiver where nicks plays outside and is more of a threat downfield. Some people should at least get their facts right before commenting.
]]>By: niceh11http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471279
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:38:00 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471279@ Simplesimeon1

Haah, I hope we play you. Not only do we have a pro bowler as a QB, but he also happens to be a super bowl MVP who orchestrated the greatest playoff push in history and has more dramatic 4th quarter comebacks this year than any other quarterback.

If you’re asking to come play a clutch, icewater-veined quarterback, then yes, hope for the 5 seed.

#ELI

]]>By: ray0414http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471271
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:30:45 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471271oh and before u say chargers suck i believe they have the number 6 or 7 rated defense against the pass!
]]>By: ray0414http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/27/despite-not-being-on-the-ballot-jason-pierre-paul-is-pro-bowl-bound/#comment-1471270
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:29:30 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=175834#comment-1471270manning was 9 out of 27 in that last win over the jets, yea thats real good, and the week before that against a crappy redskin team manning had 3 picks in what could have been a division clincher. all stafford does is go on the road and throw 4tds and 380 yds against OAK and the comes home to throw for 390 and 3tds against a chargers team taht just destroyed the ravens a week before. i think eli got the votes based on first half the season, not 2nd half when it really counts.
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